November garden tasks part 2

Last week we looked at some things to do in and around the garden and yard during the month of November. However, there are many more to consider. Here are some of them.

There is still plenty of time to plant cool season annuals such as pansies, violas, dianthus, flowering cabbage and kale, red giant mustard, etc. At this point, however, I would choose larger plants-those in four-inch pots or larger instead of those in flats. Why? Because freezing temperatures along with killing frosts are imminent. Much cooler conditions such as these will slow root and top growth considerably and those transplants with smaller root systems will not be able to become adequately established and may not survive a cold winter. So, plant now while the planting is good!

November is also a good time to complete a soil test in your garden and flower beds. For just a few dollars, you can know exactly what to do to your soil to give your plants the best opportunity to thrive. The pH of the soil determines the availability of essential nutrients. Most likely, your soil will need lime, since pHs are normally on the low side (acidic) here in middle Georgia. Lime takes months to break down and do its work in the soil, so applying it now is considered a best management practice.

Sasanquas are in bloom now and they can really put on a show! My ‘Yuletide’ sasanqua is doing just that right now and I am enjoying their unashamed display of bright red petals and yellow centers. You might do as I have done and cut a few blooms and bring them indoors and float them in a saucer for a pleasant dining table centerpiece.

Clip and remove the dead, brown stems of annuals killed by frost. Transport them to the compost pile when finished. Cover the vacant beds with pine straw for the winter or plant some winter annuals in their place.

November is a good time to plant fruit trees and brambles. Apple varieties recommended for middle Georgia include ‘Mollie’s Delicious’, ‘Red Delicious’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Yates’, and ‘Granny Smith.’ All of these varieties flower at about the same time. Since most apple varieties require pollen from another variety to set fruit, it is wise to plant two or more of these varieties together.

Pear varieties for central Georgia include ‘Orient’,’ ‘Baldwin’, Magness’, ‘Moonglow’, ‘Starking Delicious’, ‘Dawn’, and ‘Warren.’ I won’t attempt to name their individual pollination requirements here, but I can help you with that if you are interested.

There are several good peach varieties recommended for middle Georgia. They are ‘Junegold’, ‘Juneprince’, ‘Gala’, ‘Suwanee’, ‘Harvester’, ‘Redglobe’, and ‘Redskin.’ Peaches are self-pollinating so planting two or more varieties is unnecessary.

This month is also a good time to clean sprayers, tools, pots, seed trays, and seed-starting items. These can be contaminated with fungal spores or pesticides and should be thoroughly disinfested. Do this with a 10:1 solution of water and bleach (ten parts water and one part bleach).

Remove any potting soil from containers and rinse out any remaining soil. Soak them for at least 30 minutes in a bucket or tub filled with the water/bleach solution. Remove them and allow them to dry.

Once all leaves have fallen from your prized fruit trees, thoroughly spray them with a dormant oil. Dormant oils suffocate insects such as scales that hide on and under the bark of fruit trees.

Best of success with your November garden chores!

Tim Lewis is a Georgia Green Industry Association Certified Plant Professional, gardening writer, and former Perry High School horticulture instructor. He and his wife, Susan, own and operate Lewis Farms Nursery located on Georgia Hwy 26 two miles east of Elko, where he was born and raised. He can be reached at (478) 954-1507, timlewis1@windstream.net, and at LewisFarmsNursery.com.